YAKIMA, Wash.- Ditch Christmas shopping at corporate chains and celebrate the neighborhood shops hidden throughout Downtown Yakima.
November 25 is the 5th annual Small Business Saturday, hosted by the Downtown Association of Yakima.
“Small Business Saturday is really a good way for small businesses to kinda combat the huge Black Friday sales that the corporations are doing,” says Breanna Stratton, Events Coordinator for the DAY. “Some of those small businesses really can’t compete with those on those days, so Small Business Saturday is where we can reach out and just let them know that we are still thinking about them and supporting them.”
There’s 33 businesses participating in 2023’s event, including multiple new businesses that are part of their first Small Business Saturday.
“We gotta keep it positive and when we did our business guide, there were 26 new businesses for the last two years,” says Stratton. “And in Small Business Saturday, there’s five brand new ones that just opened this year.”
One of the new businesses is Adelia Wine Cellars. Having just opened on September 1, Adelia will be one of the many stores that people could be learning about for the first time.
“One big thing we hear after this event is ‘I didn’t know that business was there,'” says Stratton.
For the owner, Alexis Sells, participating in Small Business Saturday takes a bit of the load off for her, as she makes the wine herself and also does her own marketing.
“I wear a lot of hats and that means I’m also doing all the marketing,” says Sells. “So things like Small Business Saturday really helps get my name out there.”
The DAY says the event not only promotes the smaller stores around Downtown Yakima but can also provide a spark for some who may need it.
“a lot of businesses report record sales days on this day so it feels really rewarding that we get to help with them,” says Stratton.
While some may only be looking for their Christmas gifts on Small Business Saturday, the opportunity to explore the community is an extra bonus to the tradition.
“It’s nice to get out and about and on the town and it’s a good way to get locals to see what’s happening,” says Sells.
This year’s SBS in Yakima will come with an extra contest. If you pickup a passport from the DAY office on 1st Street, you can be entered to win a gift bag full of gift cards and merchandise from participating businesses.
You’ll have to visit five different small businesses and show at least one proof of purchase to be eligible to win.
Signs are also posted along Yakima Avenue to point out shuttle stops. A free ride is available to connect all the businesses together, without having to walk the entire distance or find multiple parking spots.
A full map of the participating businesses is available online and physical copies will be at the DAY office when you check in.
Winners of the gift bags will be livestreamed on the DAY’s Facebook page.
